Pin puller



Oct. 4, 1966 E. E. HAHN ETAL PIN FULLER Filed June 28, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS. fmer'an E. Hahn Joseph A. Kur'fz nTTOR/VEYS.

Oct. 4, 1966 "E. E. HAHN ETAL 3,276,743

PIN FULLER Filed June 28, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 iTWENmRs. Ema/'00 f. Hahn BY Joseph A. Kur'fz United States Patent O 3,276,743 PIN PULLER Emeran E. Hahn, Shawnee Mission, and Joseph A. Kurtz,

Overland Park, Kans., assignors to Clipper Manufacturing Company, Inc., Grandview, Mo., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed June 28, 1965, Ser. No. 467,318 15 Claims. (Cl. 254-18) This invention relates to road building equipment and, more particularly, to apparatus of improved construction for pulling the anchoring pins from concrete forms.

Conventional pin-pulling machines used in roadway construction are unsatisfactory for two reasons. On the one hand, such a machine is capable of pulling only the pins from the form on one side of a roadway after the latter has been constructed, whereupon the machine must then be moved to and along the opposite side of the roadway to pull the pins from the other form on this opposite side. On the other hand, since the machine must cross the roadway to get from one side to the other, such movement often interferes with equipment on the roadway surface, such as tools, curing paper or the like. It becomes necessary at times to use a crane to lift the machine upwardly and over the equipment for placement adjacent the form on the opposite side of the roadway.

A considerable amount of time is expended in moving a machine of this type along a predetermined length of the form on one side of a roadway and then-in crossing the roadway for movement in the opposite direction to pull the pins from the other form. As a result, the pinpulling operation represents a significant cost in the overall expense involved in the construction of a roadway.

The present invention provides a machine of improved construction to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above with respect to conventional pin-pulling machines. To this end, the invention is capable of simultaneously pulling the pins from the concrete forms on opposed sides of a concrete structure, such as a roadway or the like. This is accomplished by providing a main frame which straddles the concrete structure and a pair of pinpulling units shiftably carried on the main frame independently of each other, there being a unit for each concrete form respectively. Each unit has means thereon for lifting a pin from the form so as to separate the pin from the form and thereby free the form from the ground at that particular location.

Since each of the units is independent of the other and both units are shiftable on the frame, the pins on opposed sides of the concrete structure need not be in transverse alignment in order for the machine to operate effectively. Hence, the pins on opposed sides of the concrete structure may be offset relative to each other without impairing the machines capability of simultaneously pulling a pair of pins from the forms at opposed sides of the concrete structure.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide an improved pin-pulling machine which is not only capable of simultaneously pulling a pair of pins from the forms on opposed sides of a concrete structure, but also is operable to accomplish this function even though the pair of pins are offset with respect to each other.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a machine of the type described which is self-propelled and adapted to be supported on the forms themselves to thereby eliminate the necessity of placing the machine directly on the finished concrete structure, as well as to obviate additional supporting equipment adjacent to the concrete structure to move the machine during the pinpulling operations.

' Still another object of the present invention is the pro- 3,276,743 Patented Oct. 4, 1966 vision of a machine of the aforesaid character which is movable over and along a concrete structure without interfering with construction equipment thereon, such as curing paper or the like, whereby the pin-pulling operation may be carried out while other operations are being performed on the finished structure itself.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved pin-pulling machine having a pair of independently operable pin-pulling units shiftably mounted on a main frame which spans the distance between and moves along the concrete forms from which the anchoring pins are to be removed, and wherein each unit is removable from the main frame so that it can be utilized for pin-pulling operations not requiring the frame and the other unit to thereby lend versatility to the machine and to eliminate the need for additional pin-pulling equipment.

Another object of the present invention is the provi sion of a machine of the type mentioned above wherein the units may be releasably secured in fixed, respective positions on the main frame so that, if the form-anchoring pins on each side of a concrete structure are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other, the machine may be eifectively utilized for pulling the pins on opposed sides of the concrete structure in a minimum of time notwithstanding the fact that the pins on one side may be offset by a predetermined distance from corresponding pins on the opposite side.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the pin-pulling machine of this invention illustrating the pin-pulling units shiftably mounted on the main frame, with the latter, in turn, being mounted for movement along a pair of concrete forms anchored to the ground by a plurality of pins;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through a portion of the main frame and illustrating the way in which one of the units is mounted thereon in a pin-pulling disposition with respect to a concrete form supporting the main frame;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the machine;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, top plan view of a portion of the machine illustrating the power means thereon for moving the main frame and for actuating the pin-pulling mechanism;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section, of a portion of the machine illustrating the structure for releasably securing one of the shiftable, pinpulling units to the main frame;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and further illustrating the structure of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of one of the units illustrating the drive means therefor when the unit is to be used independently of the main frame.

Pin-pulling machine 10 includes a main frame 12 and a pair of pin-pulling units 14 adjacent respective opposed ends of main frame 12. Machine 10 is adapted for simultaneously pulling a pair of form-anchoring pins 16 from the forms 18 at opposed sides of a concrete structure 20 such as a roadway or the like.

Machine 10 is movable along structure 20 and is supported on forms 18 in a manner to be described, with the major, central portion of main frame 12 spaced above the upper surface of structure 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, whereby machine 10 may move along forms 18 without interfering with equipment on structure 20, such as small tools, curing paper or the like.

Generally, the pins securing each form 18 to the ground are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other. However, the pins 16 on one side of structure 20 may be offset relative to corresponding pins 16 on the opposite side thereof. This is illustrated in FIG. 1. Nonetheless, machine is capable of pulling a pin 16 of one form 18 while simultaneously pulling a pin .16 from the other form 18.

Main frame 12 includes a pair of generally parallel tubes 22 disposed transversely of forms 18 and spanning the distance therebetween as illustrated in FIG. 1. A pair of box beams 24 and 26 are provided for each end of frame 12 respectively, beams 24 and 26 spanning the distance between tubes 22. A split ring 28 at each end of beam 24 respectively, releasably secures the latter to the adjacent tube 22, rings 28 being rigidly secured in any suitable manner to beam 24 and projecting laterally therefrom as shown in FIG. 4. Bolt means 30 on each ring 28 clamp the latter to the respective tube 22.

A pair of connectors 32 are provided at respective ends of each beam 26, connectors 32 being releasably coupled to tubes 22 at locations disposing beam 26 a predetermined distance away from beam 24. Bracing 34 in the plane of tubes 22 provides structural rigidity therefor in this plane. In addition, bracing 36 on each tube 22 respectively, :as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, provides structural rigidity along its length.

A pair of axles 38 are rigid to and extend laterally and outwardly from each beam 24 respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. A pair of substantially triangular, convergent structural plates 40 mount each axle 38 respectively on the corresponding beam 24. A flanged wheel 42 is journalled on the outer end of each axle 38 respectively, wheels 42 being disposed for movement over the corresponding form 18 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, frame 12 is movable longitudinally of forms 18 in either direction.

A pair of hydraulic motors 44 are carried by frame 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 1. Each motor 44 is adjacent the junction between the corresponding beam 24 and one of the tubes 22. A chain and sprocket assembly 46 interconnects each motor 44 with the adjacent wheel 42 for driving the latter in opposed directions.- Generally, only one motor 44 is required to move frame 12 along forms v18 in a particular direction. However, a pair of motors 44 is provided inasmuch as it is sometimes necessary to move one end of frame 12 rather than the other end thereof in order to properly position frame '12 in a pinpulling disposition.

In view of the fact that frame 12 is relatively long in length, approximately 24 feet in the case of a machine utilized for constructing a standard roadway, one end of frame 12 may be moved slightly with respect to the other frame. Control structure hereinafter described is provided to alternately actuate motors 44 so that frame 12 may be driven from either side of machine10 as is necessary or desired.

Each unit 14 includes a substantially triangular carriage 48 defined by a pair of channel elements 50 forming a pair of sides of the carriage as shown in 'FIGS. 1 and 4, and a pair of channel elements 52 forming the third side of carriage 48. Elements 50 span the distance between the corresponding beams 24 and '26 and converge as beam 26 is approached. A plate 54 rigidly interconnects the proximal ends of elements 50. Elements 52 are substantially parallel with and are in substantial overlying relationship to beam 24. In addition, elements 5 2 are interconnected by crosspieces 56, each element '50 also being rigidly connected to crosspieces 56.

A wheel 58 is carried on an axle 60 below the junction of elements 50 and is in rolling engagement with the upper surface of beam 26 as shown in FIG. 2. A pair of mounting plates 62 secure axle 60 to the underside of carriage 48. Similarly, a pair of mounting plates 64 secure an axle 66 to the underside of carriage 48 adjacent the opposite end of one of the elements 50, there being a wheel 68 on axle 66 and in engagement with the upper surface of beam 24.

A wheel and axle assembly 70 is provided at the third corner of carriage 48 and is swivelly mounted thereon to permit change in direction of the movement of the corresponding unit 14 when the latter is used independently of frame 12 in a manner to be described. To this end, assembly 70 includes a wheel 72 in engagement with the upper surface of the corresponding beam 24 and carried by an axle 74 spanning the distance between a pair of mounting plates 76. A shaft 78 is rigid to the side of a split collar 79 which, in turn, is releasably secured to the upper end of a shaft 81, the latter passing through a collar 80 rigid to carriage 48. A crank 82 integral with shaft 78 permits manual rotation of the latter. A pin 84, extending through collar 80 and into shaft 81, maintains assembly 70 in a fixed disposition with respect to beam 24.

To maintain wheels '58, 68 and 72 on beams 24 and 26, respectively, each of these beams is provided with a pair of generally parallel ribs 86 as shown in FIG. 6. Also, beam 24 is provided with a pair of spaced stops 88 at the ends thereof, and beam 26 is provided with a pair of spaced stops 90 intermediate its ends as illustrated in FIG. 4. Stops 88 and 90 limit the travel of carriage 48 along the tracks formed by beams 24 and 26.

A post 92 is rigid to elements 50 adjacent the junction thereof and extends upwardly from carriage 48. A tube 9*4-is pivotally mounted to the upper end of post 92 by a pin 96 and extends laterally therefrom transversely of the corresponding form 1 8. The upper end of a piston rod 98 is pivotally secured by a pin 100 to a pair of ears 102 rigid to and depending from the outer end of tube 94. Rod 98 forms a part of a cylinder and piston assembly 104 having a cylinder 106 pivotally secured by a pin 108 adjacent the upper extremity of a channel member 1 10 which is also disposed transversely of the corresponding form 18. The innermost extremity of member 110 is pivotally secured by a pin 112 to plate structure 114 rigidly secured to and depending from carriage 48. Tube 94 and member 110 are in substantially the same vertical plane through carriage 48.

A rod 116 is pivotally secured by a pin 118 to member 110 intermediate its ends and extends upwardly through carriage 48 and terminates at a threaded upper end 120. A nut 12:2 threaded on end 120 provides a stop for a coil spring 1 24 surrounding rod 116 and abutting suitable structure (not shown) secured to carriage 48. Spring 124 normally biases channel member 110 and thereby cylinder 106 upwardly.

Leg126 is rigidly secured by bolt means 127 to the outer extremity of channel member 110 and includes a foot 128 which is movable into engagement with the corresponding form 18 therebelow in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Foot 128 moves into engagement with the corresponding form 18 when member 110 moves downwardly against the bias force of spring 124 upon initial actuation of assembly 104. This action occurs at the commencement of the pin-pulling operation yet to be described. Leg structure 126 thus provides a suitable backing support for cylinder 106 so that piston rod 98 may be raised to thereby pivot tube 94 upwardly about pin '96.

A chain 130 having a slotted, pin-pulling, substantially L-shaped device 132 on the lower end thereof is secured by a mounting hook 134 to ears 102. Thus, when assembly 104 is actuated, tube 94 is pivoted upwardly and, with device 132 coupled with a pin 16, the pin will be raised with respect to form 18 to thereby free the latter from coupled relationship with the ground at that particular station.

Assembly 104 forms a part of a hydraulic circuit including an assembly 136 disposed within a housing 138 mounted on crossbeams 140 secured to carriage 48. Assembly 136 includes a reservoir of hydraulic fluid and a fluid pump, the latter having a rotatable shaft 142 to which a belt and pulley assembly 144 is coupled. Assembly 144 is also connected to a prime mover 146, preferably in the nature of an internal combustion engine. Prime mover 146 is mounted on carriage 48 by crosspieces 148. Suitable control means (not shown) is provided to operate prime mover 146. A guard 150 substantially encloses assembly 144 to protect the same.

A fluid valve 152 is mounted on the upper surface of housing 138 and is provided to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from cylinder 106, whereby assembly 104 is actuated and de-actuated. Valve 152 has a rod 154 projecting outwardly therefrom and pivotally secured to a link 156 pivoted at 158 to housing 138. Another link 160 pivotally interconnects link 156 with a lever 162, the latter being pivoted by a pin 164 on housing 138.

On one of the units 14 only, another fluid valve 166 is provided to actuate one or the other of motors 44. Valve 166 has a shiftable rod 168 projecting outwardly therefrom and pivotally connected to a link 172, the latter in turn being pivotally mounted by a pin 172 on housing 138. Another link 174 pivotally interconnects link 170 with a lever 176, the latter also being pivotally mounted on pin 164. Levers 162 and 176 are swingable independently of each other and lever 176 is longer than lever 162 so that such swinging movements of these levers may be facilitated.

A fluid valve 178, operated by a swingable lever 180, is mounted on elements 52 as shown in FIGS. 2-4 and determines which motor 44 is energized when valve 166 is actuated. In one position of valve 178, one of the motors 44 is energized when lever 176 is swung to operate valve 166. Conversely, the other motor 44 is energized for a second setting of valve 178. It is to be pointed out that none of the various conduits are illustrated which interconnect the foregoing valves with assembly 104 or either of the motors 44.

A hydraulic motor is carried on carriage 48 of one of the units 14 and has a drive shaft 184 provided with a sprocket 186 thereon. When this unit 14 is mounted on main frame 12, motor 182 is not utilized. However, situations may arise where it is necessary or desirable to use the last-mentioned unit 14 independently of main frame 12, i.e., directly on a concrete structure for pulling the pins fromone concrete form. In such a case, motor 182 is utilized for driving 'unit 14 and, to this end, the unit is provided with structure illustrated in FIG. 7 including a wheel and axle assembly 188 coupled to carriage 48 by mounting plates 190. A chain and sprocket assembly 192 interconnects assembly 188 with sprocket 186 whereby unit 14 is driven in a predetermined direction. Directional changes of the unit are effected by manipulation of crank 82. To energize motor 182, valve 166, instead of being operably coupled with motors 44, will be coupled with motor 182.

To releasably lock each unit 14 to main frame 12, a substantially U-shaped clamping member 194 is provided for each unit 14 respectively. Member 194 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and includes a pair ofopposed, generally parallel sides 196 and a bight 198 interconnecting the lower extremities of sides 196. Each side 196 has an elongated, longitudinally extending slot 200 therein as shown in FIG. 5, and a bolt 202 extends through aligned slots 200 and is secured to elements 52 as shown in FIG. 6. A bolt 204 interconnects the upper extremities of sides 196, and a pair of sleeves 206 and 208 are rotatably mounted on bolts 202 and 204 respectively. A toggle linkage 210 includes a first link 212 secured to and extending laterally from sleeve 206, and a second link 214 secured to and extending laterally from sleeve 208. A pin 216 interconnects links 212 and 214, and a lever 218 is rigid to and projects outwardly from sleeve 206.

Bight 198 carries a bearing element 220 which is movable into and out of frictional engagement with the underside of the corresponding beam 24 to releasably lock clamping member 194 and thereby carriage 48 relative to frame 12. A bolt 222 is threadably secured to bight 198 and adjustably positions element 220 with respect thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, element 220 is in frictional engagement with beam 24 so that carriage 48 is locked to main frame 12. Toggle linkage 210 is in an overcenter position and is maintained in this position by a projection 224 extending laterally from lever 218 and engaging sleeve 208. To release carriage 48 from frame 12, lever 218 is swung in a counterclockwise sense so that pin 216 will be moved to the left and projection 224 will move away from sleeve 208. Slots 200 permit a slight downward movement of bolt 202 during the locking and unlocking operation to prevent damage to the various par-ts of the assembly.

Another U-shaped member 226 adjacent to and spaced from member 194 is provided to' releasably maintain carriage 48 on main frame 12, notwithstanding the presence of member 194 and its locking capabilities. Also, a U-shaped member 228 carried by axle 60 and depending therefrom receives beam 26 therein so that the corresponding extremity of carriage 48 is releasably coupled to beam 26 against movement upwardly therefrom.

OPERATION Main frame 12 is mounted on forms 18 for movement along the same, and units 14 are shiftably mounted on main frame 12 for movement longitudinally of respective beams 24 and 26 between corresponding stops 88 and 90. Since the pinholes of both forms 18 are generally equally spaced apart, units 14 need only be initially adjusted be fore commencing the pin-pulling operation, whereupon the pin-pulling assemblies of the various units will always be in the proper locations as machine 10 is successively moved to different pin locations. However, when machine 10 rounds a curve, it may be necessary to again adjust the relative positions of units 14 on main frame 12. The position adjustments of units 14 are, of course, made by manipulating respective levers 218 so that hearing elements 220 are moved in frictional engagement with the undersides of respective beams 24 at the proper locations.

To move main frame 12 from one pin location to another, either one or the other of the motors 44 is energized. This is determined by the operative condition of valve 178 and is effected by the manipulation of lever 176 which, in turn, controls valve 166.

When main frame 12 is at the proper pin location and with units 14 releasably secured to main frame 12, devices 132 are operably coupled with corresponding pins 16 and valves 152 of units 14 are then actuated. This causes hydraulic fluid to be directed into cylinder 106 to effect relative movement of rod 9 8 outwardly of cylinder 106. Initially, feet 128 are moved into engagement with the corresponding forms 118 to provide a backing for further upward movement of corresponding rods 98 so that chains exert upward forces on pins 16 to remove the same from the forms 18.

The pin-removing operation of each unit 14 is independent of that of the other unit; however, the pin-pulling operations of units 14 may be accomplished simultaneously. After the pins have been removed, assemblies 104 are allowed to collapse by the manipulation of respective valves 152 and machine 10 may then be moved to the next pin-pulling station.

If it is necessary to drive the opposite motor 44, valve 1 78 is first actuated to condition the hydraulic circuit of the motors 44 for driving the other motor 44, whereupon valve 166 is then actuated to direct hydraulic fluid to the motor to be driven. Also, if adjustments need to be made in the relative dispositions of units 14, this can be accomplished in a minimum of time by manipulation of one or both of the levers 218.

In this manner, the pin-pulling operation can be done in a minimum of time while requiring only very few workmen, thus reducing the over-all cost of the construction of structure 20.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for pulling the pins from a concrete form comprising:

a main frame having means for moving same relative to said form;

a carriage mounted on said frame for movement rela tive to the latter and longitudinally of said form;

pin lifting means carried by said carriage and engageable with a pin to be pulled for lifting the latter from the form; and

means for actuating said pin-lifting means.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided locking structure for releasably securing said carriage to said frame, whereby said carriage may be held in a fixed position as a pin is being lifted.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided locking structure for each of said frame and said carriage respectively, said structures being disposed to releasably secure said frame and said carriage in fixed, respective positions relative to said form when a pin is to be lifted.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said structure for said carriage comprises a clamping member, and means for moving said clamping member into and out of frictional engagement with said frame.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a pair of spaced tracks extending longitudinally of the form, said carriage spanning the distance between and being shiftably mounted on said tracks.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein is provided means coupled with said carriage for moving the same in opposed directions along said tracks.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein each track is provided with a pair of spaced stops thereon, said carriage having roller means mounting the same on each track respectively for movement between a respective pair of stops.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein is provided means on said carriage and being movable into and out of frictional engagement with one of said tracks for releasably locking said carriage to the frame.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said locking means includes a projection engageable with the underside of said one track, and means moving said projection into and out of engagement with said underside.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said locking means includes a generally U-shaped clamping member having a pair of spaced sides and a bight interconnecting said sides, said one track being disposed be-.

tween said sides and above said b ight, and linkage means for lifting said member, whereby said b ight is movable into frictional engagement with the underside of said one track.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said linkage means includes an over-center toggle linkage.

12. Pin-pulling apparatus comprising:

a main frame having means thereon for moving the same along a concrete form;

a pin-pulling unit; and

means mounting the pin-pulling unit on said main frame for movement with respect thereto longitudinally of the form along which said main frame moves.

13. Pin-pulling apparatus comprising:

a main frame having means thereon for moving the same along a pair of spaced concrete forms;

a pin-pulling unit for each form respectively; and

means mounting each unit on said main frame for movement relative thereto longitudinally o-f the corresponding form, said units being shiftable independently of each other.

14. Pin-pulling apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein each unit is provided with means releasably securing the same to said main frame, whereby said units may be disposed in predetermined, fixed positions relative to each other.

-15. Pin-pulling apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said main frame is provided with a pair of 0pposed ends and wheel and axle means at each end respectively, and including drive means for each end respectively for moving the main frame in opposed directions relative to the forms, and control means for actuating the drive means at each end o-f said main frame independently of the drive means at the other end thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,893,719 1/1933 Talboys 254-18 2,819,872 1/1958- JanZer et a1 254-18 2,928,654 3/1960 Dann et .al. 254-18 2,994,510 8/1961 Michalak 254-132 3,105,674 10/ 1963 Stewart 254-18 3,137,479 6/1964 Sheperd et a1. 254-18 r WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

M. S. MEHR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR PULLING THE PINS FROM A CONCRETE FORM COMPRISING: A MAIN FRAME HAVING MEANS FOR MOVING SAME RELATIVE TO SAID FORM; A CARRIAGE MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE LATTER AND LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID FORM; 